Looking different
Our eyes help us see the world and are also important when we talk and listen to other people. If one or both of your eyes look a bit different you might feel awkward. So what can you do to change that?
Here are some ideas that you might want to try out.
Look people in the eye
When you look people in the eye you show them that you are friendly. What is it like when other people do not look you in the eye? You may think that they are rude, bored, or not interested. It is easier to look some people in the eye than others. Maybe it is dead easy to look your brother or friend in the eye, but difficult to look your new teacher in the eye. But here’s a little tip to help you. Look at the bridge of their nose instead, just between their eyebrows. It feels exactly the same as looking someone in the eye, but is much easier. Have a go, because the more you practice the better you will get at it.
Have something simple/easy to say if people ask questions, stare or make comments.
Most people are curious when they see something or someone who looks different.
What would you do if you saw a pink horse with green spots? You might go “Wow”, stare at the horse and ask yourself: “Why is the horse like this?”. What would it be like if the horse could speak and said:
”I was born like that. It does not bother me. I like eating sugar cubes, what’s your favourite food?” A friendly talking horse!
Here are some things that you might want to try saying:
- It is just the way my eye is
- My eye patch is helping to make my eye stronger
- I had an operation on my eye but it’s OK now
- It’s the way I was born so don’t worry, you can’t catch it
- I was born with a lazy eye but it does not stop me from eating ice cream. What’s your favourite flavour?
- I had a poorly eye when I was younger so the doctors replaced it with this one. I can't see through it but I can see through the other one
Have something to say and do when people are rude
It can be difficult to say something when someone calls you names or is out to be nasty.
Here are some things that might help:
- I don’t have to listen to this (then walk away)
- I have got a lazy eye, what’s your excuse?
- This is getting boring (then leave)
- It is none of your business
Try to laugh it off
You might also want to look on the funny side by saying something like:
- I must have put my pirate’s face on today!
- Gee-when did this happen?
- Oh! I hadn’t noticed!
Sometimes you might just want to walk away, which is perfectly fine.
What can you do to take care of yourself? It helps to do something that will make you feel calm. You might want to find a friend, talk to your parents, let your teacher know or listen to music.
How to stop bullying
Just because you have one or both eyes that look different does not mean that you will get bullied. But it is important that everyone knows how to stop bullying. People get bullied for lots of reasons. But remember – nobody deserves to be bullied. Bullying is wrong and nobody has to put up with it.
So what is bullying? There are different types of bullying. Here are some examples: hitting, pinching, biting, pushing, stealing things, name calling, sending nasty text messages/e-mails, making nasty phone calls, making things up to get others in trouble and breaking other people’s things.
So, what can I do if I am bullied? Tell an adult you trust about it. You might want to tell your teacher, classroom assistant and/or parents. Do not fight back as it will make things worse. Keep yourself safe by hanging around with friends or an adult.
How can I find out more about bullying?
Visit these websites:
www.kidscape.org.uk
www.bullying.co.uk
www.childline.org.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk
Tell your teacher what you need
What would make things easier for you at school? Where would you prefer to sit in the classroom? Would it help if your teacher wrote in different colours? What PE exercises would you like to do? Let your teacher know what you need, because you know your eyes better than anyone else. Your parents can help you with this.